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Using accessibility devices (such as TTY, TDD, VCO, HCO) with Treo 680 smartphones

Using accessibility devices (such as TTY, TDD, VCO, HCO) with Treo 680 smartphones

Article ID: 43764

Palm supports and conforms to the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508. See information about the Palm Accessibility Program.

Treo 680 smartphone accessibility features
The Treo 680 smartphone includes some useful features for people with hearing, vision, dexterity and mobility limitations. It also works with a number of third-party accessibility devices. Although we cannot guarantee compatibility with all third-party accessories, we do encourage you to contact the manufacturer of your accessory to learn if it will work with Treo 680 smartphone.

We hope the information below helps you decide if the Treo 680 smartphone is right for you.

TTY, TDD, VCO, HCO
A TTY (also known as TDD or text telephone) is a telecommunications device that allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have speech or language disabilities, to communicate by telephone.

Treo 680 smartphones are compatible with select TTY/TDD devices. You can connect a TTY/TDD machine to your smartphone through the headset jack, but you cannot use your headset jack with a headset while this mode is enabled. Please check with the manufacturer of your TTY device for connectivity information and to ensure that the TTY device supports digital wireless transmission.

To use TTY, you may need to make additional arrangements with your carrier. Please contact your carrier's customer service department for more information.

To turn TTY mode on or off:

  1. Press Phone .
  2. At the bottom of the screen, select the Dial Pad tab (first one on the left).
  3. Using the onscreen buttons, enter #*889 (that's #*TTY on the dialpad).
  4. Press the green Send button.
  5. You?ll see a note that says TTY is enabled. Select OK.
  6. A red T appears at the top of the Phone screen whenever TTY is enabled.
  7. To turn off TTY, repeat the steps above.

Note:
We recommend that TTY users make emergency calls by other means, including Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), analog cellular, and landline communications. Wireless TTY calls to 911 may be corrupted when received by public safety answering points (PSAPs), rendering some communications unintelligible.

Voice dialing
The Treo 680 smartphone is compatible with the Treo Voice Dialing by VoiceSignal application, which allows you to dial numbers in your Contacts using your voice.
Vibrate mode
Like many mobile phones on the market, Treo 680 smartphone features an internal vibrating mechanism that alerts you to incoming calls, text or photo messages and calendar reminders. To change the vibrate preferences:

  1. Go to Applications .
  2. Launch the Sounds application.
  3. From the Application pick list, select the application whose vibrate options you want to modify (Ring Tones, Phone Alerts, Calendar, Messaging, System), and make the changes.
Bright, high-contrast display and choice of color themes
The Treo 680 smartphone includes a brightly lit 320x320 color screen. In addition, our smartphone offers 36 different color themes to help you see text in applications that use the standard Palm OS API (including the built-in Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and Memo Pad).

To change the color theme:

  1. Go to Applications .
  2. Launch the Prefs application.
  3. Under the Personal heading, select Color Theme.
  4. Scroll through the Color Themes to see the different color/contrast options available. "Basic," "Original," "Tungsten" and "Velvet" are relatively high-contrast themes. "Midnight" offers reversed white text on a dark background. "Silver" is monochromatic (grey).
Font size
You can change the font size in the basic applications:

  • Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Memo Pad or Messaging:
    1. Each application has its own font setting. Start by launching one of the basic applications: Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Memo Pad or Messaging.
    2. Open the menus .
    3. From the Options menu, select Font.
    4. In the list of font options, the fonts increase in size and visibility from left to right.
    5. Repeat for the other basic applicaitons (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Memo Pad or Messaging).
  • VersaMail:
    1. In VersaMail, open the menus .
    2. From the Options menu, select Preferences.
    3. Under General, select Display.
    4. Select the Font box to choose font, size and style. Select the Unread and Read pick lists to change the color of the subject lines.
  • Other third-party applications may offer different font options; contact the third-party software vendor for more information about changing the font size.

Text messaging
Many people are familiar with text messaging (SMS), which offers a quick mobile way to communicate using typed text. The Treo 680 smartphone offers a friendly interface for text messaging, and the built-in QWERTY keyboard makes typing easier for some.

If you prefer a larger keyboard, the Treo 680 works with a number of full-size keyboards, including the Universal Wireless Keyboard Palm. Check availability in the Palm store.

5-way navigation
Like many Palm OS 5 products, the Treo 680 smartphone features a 5-way navigator, which lets you move about the screen and perform most functions on the device without having to use the stylus. The navigator consists of the two large, concentric buttons in the middle of the lower part of the smartphone. Press the edges to move up, down, right, or left, and the center button to select items. The navigator works differently in different applications, but it's usually an easy way to operate the device with one hand.
Loopsets, acoustic amplifiers, induction amplifiers and other accessories
Palm has not tested the Treo 680 smartphone with third-party loopset or amplifier devices from HATIS, Nokia, etc. Contact the manufacturer of the third-party accessory to learn if it is compatible with Treo 680 smartphones.

On the other hand, you may find that the built-in personal speakerphone feature of Treo 680 smartphone offers sufficient volume for your needs.